With news on: Defra says more to be done on single-use plastics; CCEP to introduce paperboard packaging in Spain; Diageo sends zero waste to landfill from offices; and, Enva recognised at health and safety awards.
Defra says more to be done on single-use plastics
Defra says much more must be done to reduce the country’s reliance on single-use plastics after a survey claimed plastic use had risen sharply during lockdown.
The Everyday Plastic Survey reported that of 179 households questioned, the average number of plastic items being collected in one week was 128, up from 99 in previous surveys.
The Everyday Plastic Survey found 25% more food packaging, parcel bags and PPE items were thrown away during the lockdown
And, it found 25% more food packaging, parcel bags and PPE items were thrown away.
In response, Defra said in a blog post: “Although the government cannot officially confirm whether plastic use has increased in recent months, we recognise that more must be done to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.”
The blog noted that in July, environment ministers Rebecca Pow and Lord Goldsmith wrote a joint op-ed for the Daily Telegraph to express their concern at the levels of post-lockdown litter. In the op-ed they confirmed the government and NHS were looking at how PPE could be safely reused to decrease plastic waste.
Defra says the government aims to transform the waste system to move the country closer to a circular economy. Through new extended producer responsibility schemes, the government will also make sure industries pay higher fees if their products or packaging are harder to reuse or recycle, Defra says.
CCEP to introduce paperboard packaging in Spain
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) announced on 11 August, it is to introduce paperboard packaging for multipack cans in Spain.
The soft drinks giant says its PEFC certified and sustainably sourced paperboard CanCollar® is initially to be launched in the Balearic Islands in November 2020 through collaboration with corrugated packaging company WestRock.
The CanCollar® is initially to be launched in the Balearic Islands in November 2020 through collaboration with WestRock.
Joe Franses, vice president of sustainability at CCEP, said: “The agreement with WestRock exemplifies our clear commitment to reduce plastic in our secondary packaging.
“By the end of 2020, we will have removed more than 4,000 tonnes of hard to recycle plastic from our secondary packaging in western Europe.
“It’s through collaborating on innovative packaging solutions like CanCollar® that we are able to do this.”
CCEP has invested €2.6 million in its Barcelona plant to support the initiative. The installation of WestRock’s CanCollar® Fortuna
manufacturing equipment will enable multipack cans to be grouped in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, the company says.
CCEP claims the move will save more than 18 tonnes of plastic annually.
Diageo sends zero waste to landfill from offices
Alcoholic beverage company Diageo says it has achieved zero waste to landfill at all production sites and offices as it reflects on the conclusion of its 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility Goals.
Originally set in 2008 and refreshed in 2015, the goals covered reducing the company’s environmental impact, building thriving communities and promoting positive drinking.
Diageo is the maker of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, among other drinks
The company also claims more than 99.5% of its packaging is now recyclable and that it has 45% recycled content in its packaging.
Ewan Andrew, chief sustainability officer, said: “As we close our 2020 targets, we are incredibly proud of the progress we have made and grateful to our employees and selected partners who have helped us deliver transformational progress.
“Through our programmes, we have made a positive impact on millions of people, in communities all around the world.”
However, it says it found reducing the overall weight of its packaging by 15% more challenging than expected, eventually delivering an 11% reduction.
Diageo is the maker of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, among other drinks.
Enva recognised at health and safety awards
Resource recovery company Enva’s wood recycling division has been awarded Silver Achievement Award at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Awards.
Established in 1956, the global RoSPA Health & Safety Awards invite entries from organisations of all sizes and from all industries.
Enva was recognised at the awards for the fifth year in succession
Winners of RoSPA Silver Award winners are recognised for having achieved a high level of safety performance underpinned by good management systems and a maintaining a focus on consistent improvement, Enva says.
It is the fifth year in succession Enva has been recognised at the awards.
Enva’s site manager, Steve Greenwood, said: “We believe Enva is the only dedicated wood recycling business to have achieved a RoSPA award and maintaining our Silver Award is evidence of the company’s total commitment to continually improving health and safety standards across the group.
“This year’s award is even more important given the additional pressures resulting from COVID-19 and the need to maintain the health, safety and wellbeing of all our employees during this extremely challenging time.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
